Music festival to return without camping or raves

Standon Calling Festival is due to return as an eight-day event, but it will no longer include camping or late-night raves.

The music festival, last held in 2023, had been a regular fixture in Standon, Hertfordshire, since 2006.

During a licensing sub-committee meeting at East Hertfordshire Council, founder Alex Trenchard said most attendees would leave after the headline act finished and only a small number of guests would have access to a "glamping" area.

Councillors approved the licencing application on the condition the capacity of the event does not exceed 20,000 people in 2026, including staff and performers.

The festival will now be held as a series of events spread over two weekends, within a 14-day window between 1 May and 30 September.

Previously the festival continued with rave-like entertainment after the headline act finished, until 04:00 BST, but attendees will now have to be off-site by midnight.

Previous festival headliners have included Wolf Alice, Jess Glynne and Hertfordshire local George Ezra.

The festival director explained its previous business model was no longer viable due to "rising costs".

"This licence is part of my efforts to ensure a festival, that has been part of the community since 2006, continues," he said.

Festival founder and director Alex Trenchard spoke at the meeting

The capacity would be allowed to grow to 25,000 in 2027 and 30,000 in 2028.

Mr Trenchard estimated about 500 of those attending would camp at the event as part of the "glamping" offering.

Those staying overnight would have access to a bar area playing low-level music until 02:00.

He also predicted about 700 staff would be on site at peak times.

Large car parks will be built at the site, and their would be shuttle services connecting to the railway network.

Late night DJs have been a big part of the festival in the past, including actor Idris Elba in 2017

Hertfordshire Constabulary raised concerns over security, event duration and noise management, but said it had reached an agreement with the applicant after conditions were added.

Two local residents had raised objections about noise, antisocial behaviour and concerns some people had still not received refunds for cancelled events in 2024 and 2025.

It was also pointed out that vendors who worked at the event were not paid after working at the festival in 2023.

Mr Trenchard and the council said attempts had been made to contact the local objectors, but they had not responded.